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Monday, February 23, 2015

Stones in the River

We're going spiritual today.

Last week, I had the occasion to hang out with a good, close friend for a good period of time. This occasion left me feeling grateful and with a smile on my face. And many of you may say that I have plenty to smile about. I have a beautiful wife and the cutest children. And yes, that is true. But sometimes, having something extra to smile about because "husband" and "father" can be difficult alone. Being a friend is still needed. And sometimes, a kind word can do wonders to someone's day.

Today, whilst talking to a friend going through a hard time, an old EFY song came to mind. (Note: EFY means Especially For Youth. It's an annual week-long conference held at BYU where teens can go and get gospel strength and new friends.)

I heard first heard this song about 14 years ago from a friend of mine when he was going through a tough time. The song is called "Stones in the River." It's from the 1999 EFY soundtrack. (I didn't know EFY had soundtracks until I heard this song too.)

four years old at his front doorwatches while his daddy drives awayhe knows that something's wrong when he sees the tears on momma's faceand his whole life will change

teenage boy just down the roadsuffering from choices in his lifehe's turning to the lordchanging, getting stronger with timebut never knew it was so hard

like stones in the riverwe are tossed and turnedwhen the current moves so strongbut stones in living waters over timeare shaped until the edges are gonepolished and smooth, that's what we will beif we put ourselves in god's handseach day of our lives is a gift from the giverto smooth all the edgeslike stones in the river

it's been three weeks since the last card of sympathy arrivedher love of thirty years is goneshe wonders how she will survive on her own

standing on the curb one winter nightthey watch their house burn to the groundfamily pictures, every keepsakeeven her wedding gownare they always gone?

like stones in the riverwe are tossed and turnedwhen the current moves so strongbut stones in living waters over timeare shaped until the edges are gonepolished and smooth, that's what we will beif we put ourselves in god's handseach day of our lives is a gift from the giverto smooth all the edgeslike stones in the river

the trials of our lives can work for our goodif we let the savior's love surround ushe'll find us

like stones in the riverwe are tossed and turnedwhen the current moves so strongbut stones in living waters over timeare shaped until the edges are gonepolished and smooth, that's what we will beif we put ourselves in god's handseach day of our lives is a gift from the giverto smooth all the edgeslike stones in the river

to smooth all the edgeslike stones in the river

I love these lyrics. You can here the song here. There are those times in life when we feel like asking "why?" Why are these things happening to me? Why do I feel this way? Why can't I just have what they have? Why is everyone happy but me?

I'm a fan of finding deeper meaning to songs. Well, songs I really like and feel already have a good message. This song is about trials and what they can mean for us. That we are stones that get smoothed as we go through the river of life.

There's one key word I really want to focus on here, though. The word is "we". Wait, what? How is that important? It's such a simple, two-letter word. What's so important about "we"?

It's definition. "We" in the collective sense, are not alone in our trials. The stories in the songs tear at our heartstrings because they've happened to people we know. Or maybe to us. Perhaps we can only empathize that pain with our own individual, yet similar, experiences.

For me, there is always someone who can understand our pains. Sometimes, it requires a prayer. Sometimes, it's being vulnerable and speaking to a friend. Sometimes, it's just a slap in the face reminder that we're not alone and need to get off our case. Not sure. But it is better knowing I am not alone. I do have a wonderful and understanding wife. I do have beautiful children who can make me smile and bring me such great joy. I do have good friends who can cheer me up when I'm down or listen to me complain about whatever it is I need to complain about.

Life isn't always peachy keen. It just isn't. But it's good to know that we're going down this river with other stones whose edges are also being smoothed.